NORTH OTAGO GRAIN. STOCK AND PRODUCE REPORT. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 31

NORTH OTAGO GRAIN. STOCK AND PRODUCE REPORT. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

OAMARU, March 6

Frequest showei-s of ram are delaying threshing very much, and the effect has been to harden the price of wheat all round. A few paicels of new wheat have been placed at from 3s 2d to 3s 3^d: during the week, ar>d t 'S much as 3s 4d was paid for prime velvet, but these natures are full value, and a dec'ine is generally expected so soon as the weather tokes up sufficiently to alow threshing to be generally resumed and the supply approaches the demand. Millers, finding the new wheat later than they had expected, are ir quiring for old season's gram, and have paid up to 3"; 6d, less commission, for it. The oat market is weaker, especially for milling lines. The lateness of the season has the eFect of keening f^ood feed v'), but so soon as the new gram is offering there will probably be a decline A very prime hue of old Danish has been Po T d at Is 7tl, at a countiy siding, but Is Gel is about the current figure. -New Danish has been &old at Is sid and Is 6d. Potatoes are holding up fairiy well, and kidneys arc wort l ) up to £'6 on trucks, while Derwents for April delivery arc value at -£5 10s. and £G ha? been adced without business resulting. Mr Eirk. the Government biolopist. has boon 111 the district m the last fr-v d^vs, prcl lias discovered tlie Irish potato clisnas^ 111 «-cveial ciops, but not to any gre«it oxtciih I f sprn>iag i 3 resorted to at oiico little haim will be done. E-srgs, 111 farmevs' lots, lOd.

The O tock market continue 0 very active sheep changing hands free'y at late qu< taiions. The high prices realised at the recent Station Peak sale (conducted by Messrs Guinness and LeCrcu, Limited, in conjunction, with

the Loan and Meicantile Agency Company, Ltd, and the North Otago Farmer:.' Co-opera-tive AssociatiOii, Ltd.) have created much interest, and farmers and graziers are endeavouring to estimate the values of their flocks on the figures paid there The dram on this district tor ewes ai.cl stoics of a'l kinds continues. One agent has put 30,000 sheep through in thf» last week, all for Canterbury purchasers, and 18,000 of them for oue Ashburton dealer Many farmeis who previous to the aforementioned sale would have taken less have now ra^ed their prices by 2s to 3s per head, and aie now asking practically the same prices that weie realised at this sac. Considexabie •"•lc Havo bpfn effected during the last few d*ys of bfccrliiig ewes aud store wethers ai"l lambs. Canterbury uuyers being very keen to operate. Ktore wethers are now worth 18s 6d to 19s for large-framed three-quaiterbred and crossbred sheep ; smaller do, 17* to 17s Cd. For breeding ewes holders are askiog 27s to 28s for good three-qtiarterbred and crossbred fourIcothc Two-tooth crossbred, ewes have been sold at up to 24.- ; six and eight-tooths arc quoted at 22« to 23= : full-mouthed, 20s to 21s; and broken and failing-mouthed, 17s to 18s for large-framed and 13s to 16s lor smaller. For store lambs (mixed sexes\ halfbreds, 15s io 16s and crop-:bieds 15s 6d to 16s, ail for large framed in good condition. Crossbred wether lamb? 14a 3d to "Us 9d ; small do. 13s 6d to 14s. Cattle are fairly steady, prime steer beef being- worth 21s Gd to 22s 6d per 1001b and cow beef 15a 10 10s. Foiwaid store steer 9. £5 10s to £6 for good three-year-olds, .£4 5s to £i 15s for two to two and a-half year-olds ; 18 months, 35s to 40* ; best calves, I.js. The demand for dairy cow« has slight'y improved at £6 to £7 for best. Pigs, bacon, 3\d to 3?d

GRAIN AND PRODUCE EEPOETS.

Messrs Dalgety and Co. (Limited) report ?s follows: — "We held our weekly sale of grain. etc., at our stores on Monday, when we offered a niediurn-sized. catalogue to the usual attendance of buyers. Bidding was fairly good, and, with one or two exceptions, all lots on offer were cleai*ed at satisfactory value?. Prices ruled as under: —

Oats. — The market is quiet. Orders for coastal shipment are not numerous, while the qiiantity coming forward from the country, although, small, is about sufficient for requirements. Milling oats are not in such good deniand, and late values for these are not obtainable. Feed lines (both Gartous and sparrowbills), if sound, still meet with fair inquiry. Damaged lin-e? are, however, neglected. Ws quote: Prime milling. Is Sd to Is BJd ; good to best feed, Is 7d to Is 8d ; inferior and medium, Is 4d to Is 6d 4101- bushel (sacks extra).

Wheat. — A few sales of new season's wheat from the north are reported for the week, although milicrs will not buy freely at prices asked. Stocks of old wheat are now light, and prime quahty still commands a gcod sale, but, medu-un is difficult to quit at any thins over fowl wheat prices. The latter is not overplentiful, and late values are fairly well maintained. We qixote : Prime milling, 3s 6d to 3s Sd ; medium (nominally), 3g 2d to 3s sd : whole fowl wheat. 3s to 3s Id : broken and damaged, 2s 6d to 2b 9d per bushel (sacks extra) .

Potatoes. — In the earlier part of the week the market was bare of supplies, and prices improved slightly, but the demand is now well met with white sorts and a few small consign-" rhents of Derwents. For the latter there is gocd inquiry. "We quote : Best white sorts, £7 to £7 10s per ton (bags in).

Chaff. — Moderate consignments -were sent forward last week. Prime oaten sheaf is still inquired for. and is readily sold at full market rates. Medhim and disco'oured chaff, however, constitutes the bulk of late consignments and is more difficult to clear. We quote • Prime oaten sheaf, £3 10s to £3 12s 6d ; extra, £3 35s- medium, £3 to £3 ss; light and discoloured, £2 10s to 2 15s r>er ton (bags extra).

Straw. — We quote oaten to 45s and wheat to 35s per ton (-oressed, ex truck).

Messrs Donald Reid and Co. (Limited) report: — We held our weekly auction sale of grain and produce at our stores on Monday, when we submitted a full catalogue to a good attendance of local buyers. - There wps fair competition throughout, and, with the exception of a few lots, which did not reach our valuation, the catalogue was cleared at quotations. Prices ruled as under: —

Oats. — The past week has been a qtaiet one for nearly all classes of oa+s. Prime milling are by no means strongly inquired for. Shipments have been almost entirely coastal orders, and thes« are being filled with B grade or lower quality. Arrivals have not been heavy, and new season's oats are not yet offering in quotable quantities. We quote : Prime milling. Is 8d to 1& SJd; good to best feed, 1? 7d to Is 8d ; inferior to medium, Is 4d to Is 6d per bushel (sacks extra).

Wheat. — Millers' requirements are not at present large, and are easily filled -with small lots of prime quality. Medium milling of all sorts continues to be out of favour, and can only be quitted as fowl wheat. This is still offerino- freely at late values, but, with lower quotations at northern ports, not much business is passing locailv. We quote : Prime milling;, 3s 6d to 3a 8d; medium, 3s 2d to 3s sd : whole fowl wheat. 3s to 3s Id . broken and damaged. 2s 6d to 2s lOd per bushel (sacks extra).

Potatoes. — For Monday's sale we had no Derwents forward, but catalogued several lots of good white potatoes, which met fair competition at £7 to £7 10« per ton (packs in).

Chaff. — Consignments are not arriving so freely, and prime, bright oaten sheaf continues to meet with ready ba^. Medium qua 1 it • with which the market is fairly well suunlieci. has not the same attention : while inferior, light, and discoloured sorts have no inquiry. TVe onote Beet oaten sheaf. £3 ins to £3 12^ 6d ; choice sr.mples. £ n . 15s ; medium to good. £3 in £3 7s 6d : inferior, £2 10s to £2 15s per

ton (bag*; extra)

Hay. — The market is well supplied. We auote : Good to prime clover and iyegias=, £-2 1.">3 to jEo "s per ton (nre^ed).

Pressed Stiaw — Mo^er^tc =unpphe= anivirss;. Wr quole: Oaten. 40= to 45~ , wheat, 32s Gd to 35^, per tor.

FRUIT AND PRODUCE "REPORT

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OTAGO rEXTR^L STOCK SALES

The fir-t c•" tl'o Otap-o Centra' stock s.,>wa> hekl !>i-t v * 'k, commencing n+ Rou 'h Riclg-> on Thur=d,'y. Frbrvuuv 2- : i, followed by the WaiDiftn °,ilo "01 lip toloui-'f cl'c 1 ' v. Th.i pnb-i°s tctal'ed 10.320 t-h^ep and 125 head of catt'p rf which 477-2 sli:cp and 34 cattle wei<* cffeircl at Rous'i jR'Jg?. fu>cl 55-H shpe - i and 9i cptt'e at AVain ata. For the rsast few \\ eeLrt the weather in Cential Otago has been veiy Unt and «L-y, and in consequence feed w^is bscoaiiug dried up. Grass, however, ha« been very abundant all the summer, and stock of all descriptions is in sp'endid condition. Lambs havo done exceptionally well, and considerable drafts have been purchased for freezing. A splendid line of lambs, purchased

by the New Zealand Refrigerating Company from 1-irmers at tire upper end of the Id* Valley, was being trucked at Rough Ridge on the morning of the sale. This draft was very much adi.med, and 1 both the quality and the biesding would have done credit to any part of New Zealand. The quality of the sheep both at Rough Ridge and Waipiat«i was excellent. The lambs weie particularly wall grown and m splendid condition, nearly every lot containing a fair number fit for freezing. The wethers, too, were finely-grown sheep; indeed, =-ach sheep as tho*e from HawkduaStation, Mr Hastie (Kolronga). and Mr Donald M'jUean (Patearoa) would be darncii t to match in a l iy part of Otago. The attendance at both sales was iaige, arc! included a number of buyers from North Ot<>gro. Competii.on for all clagsea of sheep, excepting " gummy " ewes, wffs all that could be desned, and xhe piices obtained made a record for Ctntral Otago since the regular s-'.les have been established.

Lines of well-grown lambs readi'y niade 133 Gel to 14s 3d. wethers in forward condition 17s 6iT« to 38s 3d, while young ewe= were eagerlybought by local farmers et from 20s to 22s 6d. The range of puces was as follows- — Fullmouthed meriao ewes, 16s; broken and failing do, 7s to 12s; two-tooth ciossbrecl ewes, 20a to 22s 6d ; six and eight-tcoth do, 20s to 21s 9d , full and failing mouth, 14s to 15s Sd ; gummier, 8s to 10s ; forward-condition wethers, 17s 6d to 18s 3d" (one small lot, extra large, 19s), well-grown two-tootiis, 10s 6d to 17s; smaller. 15s to 15s 9d ; best crossbred lambs, 13s 6d to 14s 6c 1 !; medium, 12s to 12s 9d; small, 10s to 11s.

Cattle were comprised of two-year-old steers Euid heifers, dairy cows, and heifers, and, although the demand was not brisk, a considerable portion of the entry changed hands £>t prices that compare favourably with those ruling at other centres. Two-year-o'd steers made £3 10s to £3 15s; heifers, £2 10s to &i ss ; dahy cows and heifers, £4 15s to £6.

HOUGH P.IDGE.

Messrs Dalgety s»nd Co. (Limited) yardedi 4083 sheep, and sold For Mr John Stavely (Rough Ridge). 151 halfbred ewes at 21s 93, 2 crossbred wethers at 163, 28 halfbred ewes at 10s 6d, 150 lamb? at 10s 6d ; Hawkdun Station, 630 ha.fbred wethers at 17s lid; Messrs Roberts Bros. (Haimltons South), 10 halfbred wethers at 17s 10c"fl, 64 lambs at 14s 3d, 230 lambs at 13s 7d; Mr James Wilson (Poolburn), 67 crossbred wethers at 17s 9d, 206 lambs at 14s 3d; Mr R. G. Shaw (Gimrnerburn), 21 crossbred wethers at 16s 4d ; Mr Charles Lockhart (Rough Ridge), 60 halfbred ewes at 16s 6d. 71 lambs at 12s 7d ; Mr Edgar Williamson (Blackstone), 15 crossbred wether 3 at 17s 4d, 133 crossbred lambs at lis Id; Mr A. D. Bell (Ida Valley Station). 171 merino ewes at 16s, 81 do at 30s; Mrs W. Mill? (St. Bathans), 93 merino ewes at 12s. 27 lambs afc 12s; Mr W. Hanger (St. Bathans), 77 merino ewes at 9s 3c5, 39 lambs at 10s 6d ; Mr James Davidson (Poolburn). 182 lambs at 14s 2d; Mr J. F. Anderson (Sough Ridge), 100 lambs at 14s 5d ; Messrs Ross and Glendining (Blackstone Hill Station), 204 lambs at 15s 6d ; Mr E. Marshn (Wedderburn), 156 lambs at 15a; My Thomas Flannery (Poolburn), 84 lambs at 14s Id; Messrs P. and J. Scott (Ida Valley), 162 lambs at 13s 6d ; Mr W. F. Dundas (Poolburn), 88 lambs ai 13s Id; Mr Charles Brown (Rough Ridge), 80 lambs at 13s 2d; Mr James M'Knight. sen. (Biackstone) , 90 lambs at 13s lOd: Mr W. Hughes (Rough RicJge), 23 lambs at 12s 3d; Messrs Miller Bros. (Eweburn), 183 lambs at 12s 9d ; Mr E. F. Gerkins (Becks), 403 lambs at 11s 9d.

Catfe. — Yarded 36 head, and sold: For Mr J. F. Anderson (Rough Ridge). 9 steers at £5; Mr Thomas Spain (Ida Valley!, 20 steers and heifers at £4 12s 6d.

Messrs Donald Reid and Co. (Limited) sold: For Mr John Hamilton (Lancl'er), 58 lambs at 14s 9d, 81 at 13s- 4d; Mr Matthew Hamilton (Lander). 104 lambs at 12s Id: Mr E. Hayes (Rough Ridge), 1 cow at £3 7s 6d.

Messrs "Wright. Stephenson, and Co. yarded 346 sheep, and sold: For Mr Robsrt Johnston (Hill's Creek), 134 two-tooth wethers at 17s 9d 212 lamb 3 (wethers) at 13s 7d ; Mr T. ~D. M'Levie (Cambrians), 1 heifer at £4 10s, 1 cow at £4.

WAIPIATA.

Messrs Dalgety and Co. (Limited) yardedi 2747 sheep, and sold: For Mr Charles MTllroy (Ranfuvly), 152 two-tooth crossbred) ewes at 22s 6d. 128 two-tooth wethers at 17s; Mr Donald M'Lean (Patearoa), 56 halfbred wethers at 18s 3d; Mr Donald M'Lennan, 9 two-tooth ewes at 20s, 126 crossbred ewes at 15s 4d. 128 crossbred wethers at 17s fid, 153 lambs at 14a 6d; Mr B. Docherty (Ramurly), 104 crossbred wethers at 17s 7d ; Mr R. Wilson (Gimmerbjirn), 38 halfbred wethers at 16s, 26 halfbred ewes at 19s 98, 137 lambs at 14s, 42 do at 12s; Mr W. Baxter (Waipiata), 51 crossbred wethera at 16s 3d; Mr Michael Graham (Waipiata), 10H crossbred wethers at 16s od, 94 do at los sd, 25 do ewes at 9s Gd, 50 lambs at 14s; Mri George Duncan (Ranfurly), 19 crossbred wethers at los 5(3, 98 lambs at 12s 3d; Ml Charles M'Erla.nd, 13 crossbred wethers at 17s, 49 lambs at 12s 9d ; Mr P. M'Clusky (Waipiata), 31 crossbred ewes at 14s, 34 lambs at 143 9J; Mr P. Bleach (Eanfurly), 21 crossbred ewes f>t 19s 3d, 119 lerabs at 14s; Mr James Lory (Wedderburn). 234 halfbredl ewes at 12a lid; Mr R. G. Chapman (Hamiltons South), 61 halibred ewes at 7s :„ Mis M. M'Lennan (Wedderburn). 175 crossbred eves at 13s lid; Mr James Roberts (Hamiltons South), 94 lambs at 13s 9d ; Mr Alf . Roberts (Hamiltons South), 83 lambs at 13s 6<3 ; Mr W. Strode (Kyeburn), 63 lambs at 13s 6d ; Mr A. J. Paterson (Waiwata), 106 lambs at 12s 9(1 : Mr Thomas Healy CKyeburn). 54 lambs at 12s 3d, 56 merino ew:s at 4s.

Cattle. — Yarded 26 head, and sold: For Mi C. Bottmg. 22 steers at £3 11s, 3 heifers f.t X' 2 17s 6d', 1 cow at £5.

Horses.— Sold for Mr P. Bleach (Rinfurlv). 1 bay mare at £2 10s. 1 bay horse at £1 2s 6d.

Messrs Donald Reid and Co. (Limited 1 sold For Mr W. H. Tregonning (Waipiata). 77 lambs at 14s ,jd, 70 two-tooth crossbred ewes at 2(te 3d. 24 two-tcoth wethers at 16= 7d • Mr Kenneth Williamson (Daisy Bank), 2-2^ four and s x-tooth halfbred wethers at 17s; Mr Andrew Keirney (Oimmerburn). 88 two-tooth wether*-, at 15s: Mr James Mann 1 Hamilton s). 105 lambs at 12s 7d : Mr A. J. M Campbell (Kveburu), P6- lambs at 13s; Mr R. Kinsman (Hamilton*), 200 lambs at 14a Cd. 5 steers ft £3 13s. -i heifers at £3 2s, R cows at £5 12s, Mr W. H. Tregonnin;? (WjipiaUO 1 cow at £5. 1 do at £4 10s; Mi J. Rawc iff (Ky^burn). spt-insr-earj gelding af £i~ 10s. Rev "Mr Wilhnm= (Waipiata). bas crowding at .£ll j- ; Mr Andrew Kearney (Ir)mmorbwn). fbes<nii + fiHv at £31.

Me^svs Wrtaht, Rte/iherpon, and Co. vardec PfH =hpen, aiul «o'd FFto t - Messrs L Mathewson ami Son (Kol-ouga'* 390 full-mouthed ciossbied ewes at 21 ;.. 98 brokers mouthed do at 10s f-\l ; ?Jr W. M. Mathew. sin (Pate-irou). 3t35 iull-mouthed merino ewes it I]s (Jd. 45 broken-mouthed do at 7s 6cl ; Mi Geo. Anderson (Farksicle). 73 halfbied ewes, (failing mouths) at 10a Id, Mr J. L. Mathewson (Patearoa V 15 broker-m of tiled. merino ewes at 7« : and 92 full-mouthed c.o-s-h/pfl pwes tnrneel out unsold: a'«o. *>v Mr Jns. Dusjan (Xa«fby), 1 bull at £1 7s Cd.

The Ofa^o Fai-ner-' Co-onerative Association cf Now Zealand (Limited) varied 1004 sheep and lambs en account of tha following verdoTs: — Messrs Josena Johnston (Patearca\ E.. Hastie (Kokcnga), 3ohn Gmra (Haufurly), Thomas Stephens (Naseby), H. B.

Sail (Waipiata). Cattle: Yarded 50 head, *nd sold on account of Messrs W. Hall, ten. (Patejoa), James iToung (Waipiata), and £raxi. Botting (Dunedin).